eastern cape scuba diving
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| Scientific name: |
Sphyrna zygaena |
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| Common name: |
Smooth hammerhead shark |
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| Taxonomy |
| Phyulm |
Sub Phylum |
Class |
Sub Class |
Order |
Sub Order |
Family |
Sub Family |
Genus |
Species |
| Chordata |
Vertebrata |
Chonrichthyes |
Elasmobranchi |
Carcharhiniformes |
Not Defined |
Sphyrnidae |
Not Defined |
Sphyrna |
Sphyrna zygaena |
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Short Description:
The most distinguishing characteristic of this shark, as in all hammerheads, is the 'hammer' on its head. The shark's eyes and notrils are at the tips of the extensions,Smooth-edged slanting triangular teeth.Rear edge of pelvic fin straight
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Identification
features: |
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| Size: |
3 m and the maximum weight 100 kilograms |
| Behaviour: |
This shark is often seen during the day in big schools, sometimes numbering hundreds. They are not considered dangerous and are normally not aggressive towards humans. |
| Diet: |
This shark feeds primarily on fish such as sardines, mackerel and herring, and occasionally on cephalopods such as squid and octopus. Larger specimens may also feed on smaller species of shark such as the blacktip reef shark, Carcharhinus melanopterus. |
| Distribution: |
It is found in warm temperate and tropical waters, worldwide |
| Depth: |
It can be found down to depths of over 500 m but is most often found above 25 metres |
| Habitat: |
Coastal pelagic |
| Reference: |
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| Similar Species: |
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Database Statistics
(Click on the links for more information) |
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eastern cape scuba diving
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